1.A case of vanishing mandible: Diagnosis and treatment considerations for Gorham-Stout disease of the mandible.
Harroun Valdimir T. WONG ; Johanna Patricia A. CANAL
Acta Medica Philippina 2025;59(5):75-81
Gorham-Stout disease is a rare osteolytic disorder with an unclear pathophysiology. It presents as lesions characterized by the loss of the bony matrix and the proliferation of malformed vasculature. At present, there are no gold-standard diagnostic evaluation protocols and it is diagnosed through a mixture of clinical, histopathologic, and radiographic findings. We report a case of a 19-year-old female with Gorham-Stout disease presenting with an 8-year progressive soft tissue mass in the mandible. Extensive osteolysis of the mandible with clustering of the mandibular dentition is noted on computed tomography (CT) imaging. Her case was discussed in a multidisciplinary conference and her treatment was radiotherapy followed by surgery ± reconstruction. We used a CT-based three-dimensional planning technique to give 40 Gy over 20 treatment sessions to the involved areas. Post treatment, a repeat CT was done at six weeks to reassess for disease progression or stabilization, followed by surgical excision. As of 31 October 2021, no evidence of recurrence is noted 48 months after treatment. Arriving at a definitive diagnosis with GorhamStout disease is challenging and a multidisciplinary team approach can help determine the treatment choice with best outcomes.
Osteolysis, Essential ; Gorham-stout Disease
2.Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma of the parotid gland: A case report
Jacqueline Rose E. Agustin ; Jomell C. Julian
Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;63(1):64-67
INTRODUCTION
Parotid lymphoma is a rare occurrence, let alone a diagnosis of nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). Salivary gland tumors commonly affect the parotid gland, although a primary malignant lesion rarely occurs, with an incidence of 0.5 to 3.0/100,000 population/year worldwide. This case report describes the presentation of this rare lymphoma. This also demonstrates the efficacy of standard of care chemotherapy with doxorubicin, vincristine, bleomycin, and dacarbazine with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab (R-ABVD).
CASEThis is a case of a 44-year-old male with a gradually enlarging right preauricular mass. Biopsy and immunohistochemical staining confirmed a diagnosis of NLPHL Stage IIA. A total of six cycles of chemotherapy with R-ABVD was given. Follow-up PET CT showed resolution of FDG avid nodes localized near the surgically removed parotid gland, confirming complete remission.
DISCUSSIONParotid malignancy only accounts for 5% of all head and neck tumors. NLPHL is even more rare, with an incidence of 1.5/1,000,000 population per year. The rarity of the case limits clinical trials for its treatment. Because of this, R-ABVD has been employed as a treatment of choice for intermediate-staged NLPHL. Overall response showed an 85% five-year progression-free survival and 99% overall survival.
CONCLUSIONThis case report highlights the significance of early lymphoma detection despite its rarity among parotid tumors and prompt initiation of chemotherapy.
Human ; Male ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Lymphocytes ; Hodgkin Disease
3.Clinical profiles and in-patient outcomes of patients with myocardial bridging versus obstructive coronary artery disease: A single center retrospective study
Stefon Monique D. Oxley ; Abe F. Montejo ; Brian M. Denney
Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;63(1):23-29
BACKGROUND
Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary anomaly characterized by an epicardial coronary artery taking an intramuscular course, causing systolic compression of the tunneled segment. In comparison to coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial bridges have been uncommonly associated with acute coronary syndromes and sudden cardiac death.Evidence of accelerated atherosclerotic plaque formation proximal to the bridged segment may increase the risk for future adverse cardiac events in these patients.
METHODOLOGYThis Single–Center Retrospective Study included 323 adult in-patients who underwent coronary angiography for suspected myocardial ischemia in 2022. Clinical information and in-hospital outcomes were obtained by review of medical records.
RESULTSMyocardial bridging was observed in 31 out of 323 patients (9.60%), with the majority in the mid-left anterior descending artery (87.10%). MB was more prevalent in females (56.62%), and these patients were younger than patients with obstructive CAD (56.9 versus 63.6 years). Chronic Coronary Syndrome was more prevalent in the MB group (82.62%). The coronary segment proximal to the area with MB showed the concurrent presence of obstructive CAD in 16.12% and non-obstructive CAD in 29.03% of cases. In-hospital mortality occurred in 4.44% of the studied population. However, there were no mortalities in the MB group.
CONCLUSIONAmong patients admitted for suspected myocardial ischemia, 9.6% had MB. These patients were younger and, more often, female. Obstructive and non-obstructive CAD were noted in bridged vessels. Although patients with obstructive CAD have a higher risk of experiencing in-hospital death and cardiac complications, evidence of increased atherosclerotic plaque formation in bridged vessels has important implications for future adverse cardiac events and repeat hospitalizations in the MB population. Aggressive risk factor modification, emphasis on long-term follow-up, and the establishment of clinical practice guidelines are therefore necessary for patients with MB.
Human ; Myocardial Bridging ; Coronary Artery Disease
4.Comparison of 600 mg versus 300 mg clopidogrel loading dose for patients with ischemic heart disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Gwen R. MARCELLANA ; Emilio Jose GRAVADOR ; Rodney JIMENEZ ; Richard Henry TIONGCO II
Philippine Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(1):63-72
INTRODUCTION
While a 600 mg loading dose (LD) of clopidogrel has demonstrated superior inhibition of platelet function compared to 300 mg LD, the clinical evidence supporting this superiority is limited. The debate centers on whether higher clopidogrel LD regimen in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outperforms the standard 300 mg LD, with potential benefits being more pronounced in higher-risk patients. Balancing enhanced platelet inhibition to reduce ischemic events against the associated risk of increased bleeding remains a critical consideration in determining the optimal loading dose of clopidogrel for patients with ischemic heart disease.
METHODSA systematic literature search for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was performed comparing 600 mg with 300 mg LD of clopidogrel using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Clinicaltrials.gov and HerdinPH. Studies included those between 2010 and 2023 involving human subjects. The primary efficacy endpoint was a 1-month rate of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and the primary safety outcome was bleeding adverse effects.
RESULTSNine RCTs involving 29,827 patients were included in the efficacy analysis. Mean duration of follow-up was 30 days. Only eight studies were eligible for safety analysis. Compared with standard LD clopidogrel, high LD significantly reduced the incidence of overall MACE (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74-0.91, p = 0.0002), nonfatal myocardial infarction (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.32-0.99, p = 0.15) and target vessel revascularization (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.41-0.95, p = 0.03), without significant difference in terms of cardiac death (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.76-1.04, p = 0.15) and stroke (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.67-1.26, p = 0.61). However, major bleeding risk was higher in the 600 mg LD (1.9%; 261/13288) compared with 300 mg LD (2.4%; 328/13242) [OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.08-1.49, p = 0.005] without significant difference in minor bleeding (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.94-1.17, p = 0.35).
CONCLUSIONThe administration of 600 mg clopidogrel LD reduces the overall risk of MACE with associated increased risk of major bleeding.
Human ; Clopidogrel ; Ischemic Heart Disease ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
5.Outcomes of patients who underwent standard risk coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Z benefit package in a single private center in the Philippines.
Maria Roussell Nennette TUÑACAO-SANDALO ; Christie Ann VILLAREAL-INSO ; Haidee YADAO
Philippine Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(1):12-31
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Coronary artery disease (CAD) poses a significant global health challenge. In the Philippines, despite increased availability of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), cost remains a barrier to access. This research evaluates key factors such as all-cause death, cardiovascular death, repeat revascularization and quality of life post-CABG under the Philippine Health Z Benefit Package (PZBP). Its findings provide critical insights for shaping clinical practices, policymaking and advocating for broader implementation of the PZBP to improve healthcare access and quality of life for post-CABG patients.
METHODSThis retrospective cross-sectional study explores the outcomes of post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients enrolled under the PZBP. The study, conducted at Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City from December 2018 to September 2023, included patients diagnosed with CAD based on ACC/AHA 2021 guidelines. Using a complete enumeration strategy, the research employed descriptive statistics for demographic and clinical profiling, and measured quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) tool.
RESULTSThe study analyzed 29 patients who underwent CABG through the PZBP, presenting detailed demographic and clinical data. Most patients (41.4%) fell within the 51-60 age range, with males comprising 75.9%. Diabetes mellitus type II was prevalent (58.6%) and 86.2% had three-vessel diseases. The quality of life assessed with WHOQOL-BREF yielded positive scores across physical, mental, social and environmental domains, indicating favorable outcomes. Notably, no cardiovascular deaths, all-cause deaths, or repeat revascularizations were reported during the study, highlighting the effectiveness of CABG under PZBP.
CONCLUSIONThe study on post-CABG patients under the PZBP shows promising outcomes with no all-cause death, cardiovascular death, or repeat revascularization. This indicates the program's effectiveness in delivering accessible, high-quality healthcare, enhancing long-term survival rates and overall well-being. However, addressing underutilization is crucial, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and utilization to further improve post-CABG patients' outcomes and quality of life.
Human ; Coronary Artery Disease
6.Research advances in non-pharmaceutical interventions for pain in patients with Parkinson disease
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(1):77-82
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Pain is one of the common non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson disease and is characterized by early onset, a high incidence rate, and diverse types of discomfort, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Based on the related concepts of pain in Parkinson disease and the current status of research in China, this article reviews the commonly used non-pharmaceutical interventions for alleviating pain in patients and their mechanisms, in order to provide a basis for developing pain management regimens.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Parkinson Disease
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Pain
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
7.Characteristics of tremor in Parkinson disease, essential tremor, and neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(2):99-103
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the characteristics of tremor in Parkinson disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID). Methods The surface electromyography (sEMG) data of both upper limbs were collected from 73 patients with tremor (30 patients in PD group, 23 in ET group, and 20 in NIID group), and the a power spectral analysis was used to investigate frequency characteristics. A one-way analysis of variance and the chi-square test were used for comparison of electrophysiological parameters on sEMG between the three groups. Results The ET group had a higher tremor frequency than the PD group (F=41.86, P<0.01), while the PD group had a higher tremor frequency than the NIID group in resting state (F=41.86, P=0.002) and in postural state (F=41.86, P=0.011). The PD group had a higher proportion of patients with alternating contractions than the NIID group in resting state (χ2=5.70, P=0.017) and in postural state (χ2=7.24, P=0.007), as well as a higher proportion of such patients than the ET group (χ2=9.67, P=0.002). The PD group also had a higher proportion of patients with harmonic resonances than the NIID group in resting state (χ2=4.64, P=0.031) and in postural state (χ2=7.73, P=0.005), as well as a higher proportion of such patients than the ET group (χ2=6.52, P=0.011). Conclusion The highest tremor frequency is observed in ET, while the lowest tremor frequency is observed in NIID; patients with PD have a higher proportion of individuals with alternating contractions or harmonic resonances than patients with NIID and ET.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Parkinson Disease
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tremor
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
8.Depression and anxiety and their influence on quality of life in patients with Parkinson disease in Tibet, China
Yi WANG ; Dunzhu MIMA ; Lin WANG
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(2):104-108
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the state of anxiety and depression in patients with Parkinson disease due to high-altitude exposure in Tibet, China and its impact on quality of life. Methods A total of 93 patients with Parkinson disease who attended Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital from February 2023 to November 2024 were enrolled, and basic information and assessment scales were collected. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) and Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage were used to evaluate disease severity; Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39) was used to evaluate the quality of life of patients; the diagnostic criteria for depression and anxiety in Parkinson disease were used for the diagnosis of depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson disease; Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the severity of depression and anxiety. Results Among the 93 patients with Parkinson disease, the prevalence rates of depression and anxiety were 59.1% and 44.1%, respectively. There were significant differences between the depression group and the non-depression group in the somatization, despair, cognitive impairment, block factor, and day-night changes of anxiety, but there were no significant differences in sleep disorders and body weight between the two groups. The depression group had significantly higher PDQ-39 scores than the non-depression group, and the anxiety group had significantly higher PDQ-39 scores than the non-anxiety group. Depressive state was negatively correlated with folate and was positively correlated with blood homocysteine. Anxiety state was positively correlated with H-Y stage and UPDRS Ⅲ score. Conclusion There are relatively high prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson disease in Tibetan plateau area, which significantly affects the quality of life of patients.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Parkinson Disease
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Depression
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Anxiety
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
9.Clinical features of dyskinesis and related risk factors in female patients with Parkinson disease
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(2):109-114
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the clinical features of dyskinesia and related risk factors in female patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among the female patients who met the diagnostic criteria for PD at the outpatient service of PD in Aerospace Center Hospital, and demographic data and clinical data were collected and compared between groups, including levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale-Ⅲ(UPDRS-Ⅲ), UPDRS-Ⅳ, scores of non-motor symptoms (cognition and depression), presence or absence of dyskinesia, and single levodopa dose (LD) during the onset of dyskinesia. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for dyskinesia in female patients with PD. Results A total of 146 female PD patients were enrolled, among whom 30 patients had dyskinesia, with an incidence rate of 20.5%. Compared with the non-dyskinesia group in terms of clinical features, the dyskinesia group had a significantly younger age of onset [(54.3±12.5) years vs (62.7±10.0) years, P<0.001], a significantly longer disease duration [(9.9±3.7) years vs (4.5±3.7) years, P<0.001], a significantly higher severity of disease [H-Y stage: (2.65±0.58) vs (2.35±0.83), P=0.03], a significantly longer duration of LD administration [(7.5±3.2) years vs (3.2±2.6) years, P<0.001], a significantly higher LEDD [(703.2±203.9) mg vs (442.1±226.3) mg, P<0.001], and significantly lower body weight [(54.1±8.2) kg vs (60.0±8.7) kg, P=0.001] and BMI [(20.9±3.1) kg/m2 vs (23.4±3.1) kg/m2, P<0.001]. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high BMI (OR=0.770, P=0.005) was a protective factor against dyskinesia in female PD patients, while long disease duration (OR=1.304, P=0.001) and high LEDD (OR=1.003, P=0.012) were risk factors for dyskinesia. Conclusion There is a relatively high incidence rate of dyskinesia in female PD patients, which should be taken seriously in clinical practice, and high BMI is a protective factor, while long disease duration and high LEDD are risk factors for dyskinesia in female PD patients.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Parkinson Disease
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Dyskinesias
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Levodopa
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
10.A network analysis of depression and autonomic symptoms in Parkinson disease
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(2):115-120
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the association between depression and autonomic nervous function in Parkinson disease (PD), and to provide a basis for clinical treatment. Methods Clinical and neurocirculation data were collected from 168 PD patients who attended Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, from July 2022 to July 2023, and according to the score of Beck Depression Inventory, the patients were divided into depression in PD (dPD) group with 57 patients and non-dPD (nPD) group with 111 patients. General clinical data were collected from all patients. The supine-to-standing TCD test was performed for all patients to record systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and the mean velocity (Vm), pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) at 1, 3, and 5 minutes in both the supine and standing positions. A network was constructed for depression symptoms in PD. Results In the network of non-motor symptoms in PD, depression showed the highest centrality and the strongest predictability and was strongly correlated with sleep/fatigue and mood/cognition, with a strength centrality stability coefficient (CS strength) of 0.440. Compared with the nPD group, the dPD group had significantly lower supine HR, ∆HR, Vm in the standing position, and ∆Vm%, a significantly greater ∆DBP, and a significantly higher proportion of patients with dizziness with orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic cerebral hypoperfusion (P<0.05). Depression was positively correlated with ∆SBP, ∆DBP, Vm in the supine position, and RI in the standing position, and it was negatively correlated with ∆HR, DBP in the supine position, HR in the supine position, and ∆PI (CS strength=0.375 and 0.222). Conclusion Impairment of cardiovascular and cerebral autonomic nervous function might be involved in the pathogenesis of depression in PD, and intervention of depression can help improve the overall non-motor symptoms of PD, with sleep, fatigue, and cognition as the effective targets for improving depression in PD.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Parkinson Disease
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Depression
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
            

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail